In a message dated 97-09-24 14:20:44 EDT, Dick T. wrote:
<< I have an idea the terms come from the fact that in the UK they always
drove on the left side and you were "near the curbing" while the other curb
was "far off" on the right side?????????
>>
My understanding is that the term is far older than automobiles. The
correct side to approach your horse, and to make a "proper" dismount, were
supposedly the influence. Near-side, you get on, which would be the left, and
off-side, you would get off, or the right. Don't recall where I read this,
but it was somewhere!
Jon Arzt Rootes(at)aol.com
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